Volvo S40 / V50 Problems and Repair Histories

Volvo S40 / V50 problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys

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Volvo S40 / V50

Volvo S40 / V50s for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the Volvo S40 / V50 problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.

For Volvo S40 / V50 problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the Volvo S40 / V50 problems and repair histories that follow it.

Year	Make/Model	Trips/Year/100 Cars	Compared to all models for the same year
2008	Volvo S40 / V50		11 S40 / V50s, 7.3 months of data per S40 / V50, average 49900 miles Small sample size. Join or 11 S40 / V50s, 7.3 months of data per S40 / V50, average 49900 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2007	Volvo S40 / V50		11 S40 / V50s, 9.0 months of data per S40 / V50, average 65000 miles Small sample size. Join or 11 S40 / V50s, 9.0 months of data per S40 / V50, average 65000 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2006	Volvo S40 / V50		14 S40 / V50s, 10.1 months of data per S40 / V50, average 63900 miles Small sample size. Join or 14 S40 / V50s, 10.1 months of data per S40 / V50, average 63900 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2005	Volvo S40 / V50		21 S40 / V50s, 11.0 months of data per S40 / V50, average 99600 miles Small sample size. Join or 21 S40 / V50s, 11.0 months of data per S40 / V50, average 99600 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs

Volvo S40 in Norway
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Nov	2010		0	Reprogramming of engine control, fitting new rear window lift
Feb	2011		0	Reprogramming again
Mar	2011		0	Rattle in door fixed, A/C cleaned (bad smell), 2 CPU replaced, new program uploaded, wiper washer replaced

Volvo S40 in Massachusetts, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Oct	2009		0	Replaced seals on angle gear, covered under warranty
Jun	2010		70	15000 maintenance, checked climate control system (OK), adjusted window for slight noise when opening, no other repairs
Nov	2010		0	Replaced driver's side LED brake lamp under warranty
Apr	2012		0	Replaced AM receiver under warranty Car would not start after being parked in garage for 9 days. Dealer replaced battery under warranty.
Dec	2012		0	Replaced two TPMS sensors under warranty Reported battery drain, found that Satellite radio was causing discharge, updated Satellite radio software per Volvo and replaced battery. All done under warranty.

Volvo V50 in Quebec, Canada
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jul	2011	45260		First odometer entry
Feb	2012	51460	0	ABS system out when sold.

Volvo S40 in South Carolina, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jun	2011	73000		First odometer entry
Sep	2011	75000	310	Tech noticed the front drivers strut leaking while the car was in for 75k oil service. Had to have strut replaced, which seemed reasonable for the miles.
Jan	2012	82000		Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in Portugal
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jul	2011	46500		First odometer entry
Aug	2011	48360	0	Windows working badly, glass was diconnected from one side.
Oct	2012	66920	40	No cold air.
Apr	2013	74400	300	A/C condenser ruptured, a replacement was needed. Volvo payed for a part of the service.

Volvo S40 in Great Britain
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Feb	2011	40000		First odometer entry
Mar	2011	40000	500	No aircon and headlights kept blowing.

Volvo V50 in Sweden
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Feb	2010		0	Noticed a vibration in steering wheel. Dealer replaced brake calipers and new rotors+pads front on warranty.
Jun	2010		0	Car sold.

Volvo V50 in Norway
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Feb	2011	53940		First odometer entry
May	2011	58560	0	There was a leak on 1 diesel injector. They replaced all gaskets and holders on all 4 injectors. They also replaced the hose from airfilter box to the turbo. I paid for the hose.
Nov	2011	64480	1200	The Webasto diesel heater went out. Had to clean it, and replace ignition parts. A dirty job with a lot of tooling. Parts for 100 dollar, and 1100 dollar in labor. Sick!

Volvo S40 in Estonia
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Nov	2009		2500	new ABS pump + ECU
Jul	2010			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo V50 in Alberta, Canada
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jan	2009	27900		First odometer entry
Feb	2009	28520	75	Check for PCV hose leaking or plugged, factory TSB. Regular oilchange also done at this time.
Oct	2009	40920	0	Car was blowing cold air out of passenger vents, warm air from driver's side. Software download to HVAC system control unit, passenger seat heating unit replaced. Repairs covered by warranty.
Nov	2009	40920	0	Car was blowing cold air out of all passenger vents, warm air from driver's side. Problem traced to passenger seat heat module, software download done as well. Succesful repair.
Mar	2013	81840		Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in Great Britain
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
May	2010	44000		First odometer entry
Jun	2010	44000	0	dash warning - engine system service required. Told that oil pressure sensor needed replacing and replaced. One week later same dash warning appeared. Now ongoing
Sep	2010	50000	0	'Engine system service required' message display. Solved by replacing oil level sensor and reduction in oil level - dpf regeneration issue, though dealer did not admit. Dealer did put sticker on engine cover denoting new, lower oil level!
Jan	2011	54000		Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in Florida, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Mar	2006	1000		First odometer entry
Jan	2008	13000	0	Front brakes rotors warped.
Apr	2008	16000	0	Erratic operation of power door locks and windows, from both the remote and the interior switches. Diagnosis: on previous dealer visit, new wire harnesses were installed into doors, however the required software flash had not been performed. Faulty driver side headlight washer jet replaced.
Nov	2008	22000	0	Failure of all dashboard gauges (speedometer, tach, temp, oil pressure). Diagnosis: faulty DIMM. Service tech successfully re-flashed the DIMM but a new DIMM was ordered because testing revealed errors. The car was driveable after this shop visit. New DIMM controlling dashboard installed. Successful repair. Erratic operation of power door locks and windows, from both the remote and the interior switches. On this service visit, the wire harnesses to driver and passenger front doors were replaced, and new gold contacts installed to replace the tin contacts.
Dec	2009	24000	0	Driver side windshield washer jet was replaced due to blown valve.
Dec	2011	30000	285	Sunroof drain clog, with 1" water in entire right side of interior (front & back). Carpets removed/dried, drain mechanisms replaced with updated parts, interior damage check, carpets replaced.
Aug	2012	31000	300	Electro-mechanical trunk lock shorted out and replaced. Long process to also diagnose wiring problem to the unit. Wire harness to trunk replaced.
Feb	2013	32000	0	Sunroof drain clog, water in entire interior (front & back). Drains cleared, carpets removed, dried and re-installed, interior damage checked. This is a repeat of the problem repaired in December 2011. No charge for this repair.
Mar	2013	32000		Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in Pennsylvania, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
May	2007	27000		First odometer entry
Sep	2007	32000	0	Nav screen wouldn't pop up and would retract when accelerating. New screen put in.
Dec	2007	38000	0	Creaky driver's seat...not able to be duplicated by a different dealer at an earlier date. Possibly caused by Volvo's WHIPS system.
Sep	2011	105000	250	One engine mount was completely ruptured.
Oct	2012	122300	1000	New front shocks & struts
Mar	2013			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo V50 in California, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
May	2006	20000		First odometer entry
Jul	2007	41000	0	Insert key and vehicle did not recognize it (message, incorrect key.) Reinserted key and vehicle went into lock down. Vehicle then discharged battery completely in about 1 hr.
Dec	2007	47000	0	Drivers side mechanical door latch failed. Power locks continued to work.
Jul	2009	72000	800	Rear Brake Pads. General maintenance visit (plugs, scope, etc.)
Apr	2010	88000	300	Accelerator pedal assembly sensor sending bad readings. Vehicle would go no faster than 10 mph.
Jun	2010	89000	36	Gas cap intermittently showing "not sealed." Replaced cap.
Aug	2010	90300	630	Pump bearing failed with a loud squeal / whatever at low RPM. Eventually, Check Engine light came on but since the sound was far less at freeway speeds I drove 300 miles to home and then to dealer with the failing / failed pump.
May	2012	100700	3	Struts Engine Mount (1)
Mar	2013	109000		Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in Texas, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Mar	2010	36000		First odometer entry
Jun	2010	38000	0	Driver's door seal not sealing well, resulting in excessive wind noise at highway speeds.
May	2011	47500	200	Air conditioner compressor failed. Replaced under Volvo extended warranty with $100 deductible. Cost would have been $893 without extended warranty. Fuel pressure sensor failing. Replaced under extended warranty.
Aug	2011	49000	0	Breather box replaced at no charge. Volvo has issued an extended warranty for this piece due to numerous problems. Our S40 had the same problem at the same mileage.
Dec	2011	52000	100	HVAC control panel working intermittently. Replaced under Volvo extended warranty with $100 deductible. Would have cost $1083 without warranty.

Volvo S40 in New Jersey, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jun	2009	23000		First odometer entry
Aug	2009	27000	0	Washer fluid did not squirt. Dealer replaced nozzles.
Sep	2009			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in California, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Oct	2007		0	Rattle, found sun roof shade clips broke, tighten rear view mirror screws, all under warranty.
May	2009	42000	100	Sun Roof Rails clog, interior leaking on passenger side.
Dec	2010	59000	1400	alarm module failure, battery replaced. software flash done. full 60,000 service completed. left front strut replaced, control arms replaced, right front shock leaking, both upper shock mounts replaced, alignment performed. brakes. coolant water bottle replaced.
Jan	2011	60000		Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo V50 in Texas, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Sep	2006	4000		First odometer entry
Oct	2006	5000	0	rear window would go down but not back up rubbing noise and right front brake pad not touching rotor
Nov	2006	5500	0	Replace windshield wipers and window control module on left rear window.
Oct	2007	9000	0	nav screen showed scrambled images new nav display screen installed, but did not solve problem Dealer provided loaner car, so left my car with them while waiting on parts. Nav control module replaced, MMM reload (?), and GPS upgrade solved problem
Sep	2008	11000	182	Software download to activate subwoofer, which I installed myself. Ridiculous charge of $182 for 20 minute software download.
Aug	2009	15000	0	Alarm system sounded for about 10 minutes and would not respond to repeated attempts to disarm. Once it did stop, a message appeared on the display saying alarm system required service. Dealer replaced faulty siren under warranty.
Mar	2010	16000	0	Right puddle light lens fell out. Dealer ordered parts.
Mar	2013	20000		Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo V50 in Pennsylvania, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Oct	2007	16000		First odometer entry
Nov	2007	17000	0	shimmy when driving- discovered tires needed replaced and rotors were warped. Dealer replaced rotors (only 17000 miles on car) and I paid for new tires.
Jun	2008	22000	0	Noticed metal-on-metal sound from wheels; dealer said that rust build up on the brake pad plates caused the noise; dealer removed rust, but the sound remained.
Mar	2009	29000	250	Door locks/windows intermittently worked. Sometimes couldn't lock or unlock the doors.
Oct	2009			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo V50 in British Columbia, Canada
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Nov	2006		0	Axle splines were loose and making clicking noise under acceleration/close throttle deceleration. Axle splines were fixed with metal adhesive.
Jun	2007	13380	0	Window seal came loose on driver side door near mirror. Seat Lumbar support adjustment broke and had to be repaired. Car was in shop for a couple of hours for both fixes.
Oct	2007	15500	114	Right front wheel bearing was making noise, Right front tie rod was worn/lose, require replacement.
Feb	2009	21700	0	Noisy seat rails. Typical issue. Will bring car back - wanted repair reported before warranty expired.
Apr	2010	27280	0	Alternator replaced - noisy. Waited more than 2 months for back-ordered part, but car was still drivable. Warranty had expired, but I was able to get Volvo to cover the repair. Oil breather box issue - was part of an extended warranty item that was noticed when replacing the alternator. No cost fix.
Jul	2010		0	Timing chain tensioner replaced under warranty - the warranty had expired, but it took the dealership several months (after replacing the belts first, then the alternator) to diagnose the problem.
Nov	2010			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in Virginia, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
May	2007	26000		First odometer entry
Aug	2007	28000	0	Check engine light came on and air conditioner started blowing HOT air on driver's side only
Jan	2009			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo V50 in Illinois, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Apr	2007	42000		First odometer entry
May	2007	43000	0	Bolts that hold the seat to the floor came loose, causing seat to lean backwards and to the right several inches each time the car moved forward.
Aug	2007	45000	0	Starter intermittently makes grinding noises or pauses during cold start-up. I was told the gears in the starter are now plastic, and I will need a new starter eventually, but to wait until the problem/noise gets worse.
Sep	2007			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 in Georgia, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Feb	2010	65000		First odometer entry
Mar	2010	66000	230	AC compressor not turning on, no cold air.
Jun	2011			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo V50 in Puerto Rico
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Feb	2007	34000		First odometer entry
Mar	2007	35000	0	Vacuum pump defect
May	2007	36000	0	Same vacuum pump
Jun	2007	38000	0	The vacuum pump of the brake system was changed. Driver side vent visor is damaged. And also driver door seal is broken.
Mar	2008	43000	0	New weather strip placed. Xenon lights needed leveling.
May	2008	46000	400	Need to replace bad struts......
Jul	2008	47000	0	Fuel pump module needed to be replaced. One oxygen sensor replaced.
Oct	2008	50000	0	An hydraulic engine mount was defective
Jan	2009	52000	0	Engine mount replaced.
Jul	2009			Most recent odometer entry.

Volvo S40 / V50 Problems and Repair Histories

More about the Volvo S40 / V50

Volvo S40 / V50 Reliability through December 31, 2012

2011 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2009 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2008 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2008 Volvo S40 / V50

2007.5 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2007.5 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2007.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2007 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2007 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2007 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2006 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2006 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2006 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2005 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2005 Volvo V50 4dr Wagon

2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2005 Volvo S40 / V50 4-door

2004.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2004.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2004.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

2004.5 Volvo S40 / V50 4-door

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Volvo S40 / V50